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Zip Dee awning replacement

Yahoo Message Number: 74351
We had significant storm damage to our 2001 Zip Dee awning last weekend. Want to replace with an automatic awning (have never understood what's so wonderful about Zip Dee). The Carefree Mirage sounds good to me but would appreciate any advice or recommendations about what to get or not get, what to do or not do.

Thanks in advance
Bob

2001 Intrigue, 11237

Re: Zip Dee awning replacement

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 74353
We replaced out Zip D with a Girard. I hear some horror stories on the Carefree.

Don

'02 Intrigue #11427
'02 Intrigue #11427

Re: Zip Dee awning replacement

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 74361
zip dee and girard are great to deal with....carefree sucks.....that is as polite as i can put it on this message board...Luther Wikle 2006 affinity

Re: Zip Dee awning replacement

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 74362
and A&E is worse. If you like to travel make a trip to Chicago and meet the guys at Zip Dee. They are great people. The make automated awnings also. Girard is in Southern California. I prefer, the quality of the materials, the assembly, the execution, the simplicity of Zip Dee over A&E and care free. If you got the money, Girard maybe the answer for you. They are made by over seas craftsman and all that entails, good and bad. I replaced all my Carefree and A&E window and topper awnings with Zip Dee to get rid off the headaches. Now if the useless A&E patio awning would quit, I would replace it with two Zip Dees the full length of the coach.
TWI 2004 Intrigue 11731. PS I enjoyed the flexibility of adjustment of the Zip Dee on my Allure and Airstream TT, that isn't available with powered awnings.

Re: Zip Dee awning replacement

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 74365
I can second the idea of going to Chicago and having ZipDee fix your awning. I was there this summer and had my awning tuned up. They do excellent work and if there is a part needed, they walk to the back of the factory and pick it up. And, their labor rate seemed to be lower than many rv dealers.
They make an electric awning if you want and they also have a kit that will convert the rafter rod so that it connects at the roller tube instead of the top of the coach. When I first got this coach I wasn't enthralled with the awning but after practicing a bit I can now set it up as fast as I could the A&E awning I had on my previous coach. I also have the vertical bar that allows the awning brace to move upwards so that you don't knock your head on it.
Overall, I had a great experience at ZipDee except it was blazingly hot while I was there. They will let you park overnight beside their building and they have 20 amp 110V hookup if you want to use it. I didn't hook up since I had to run my generator because I needed the air conditioners.

pete

2000 40' Magna #5892
Pete
 2000 40'  Magna #5892  CAT C-10

Re: Zip Dee awning replacement

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 74388
I have Carefree automatic awnings and cannot wait until the day when I can replace them with the manual Zip Dees like I had on my old Foretravel. Last year, 4th of July weekend, the motor went bad in the patio awning (was only previously used about 10 times), awning got stuck out, no service people would come out on the holiday weekend to fix it or help me roll it back in. Luckily was at a dog show & got a few friends to help me roll it in & bungee it down (and lucky for me, no storms were happening the two days it was stuck out). Took forever to get the part from factory to the local RV dealer, yes it was covered under the awning warranty but that is not the point- it broke after only a few uses--to me that is not a good sign.
Have not used it since because I do not trust it and I almost always travel alone (husband doesn't go to dog shows) and can't guarantee I'll have help putting it back in. There is no way I could roll it in alone, physically impossible. The Zip Dee was so simple and basic and very well made, and whenever I had an issue with it, it was generally my fault and something I could deal with alone.

Carrie Chase
07 Tribute 81075

Re: Zip Dee awning replacement

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 74408
I can understand wanting to go with automatic awnings but you have to love the simplicity of the Zip Dee. It's 95 degrees where we are at today. We have awning blocking the side of the coach from the sun. The edge of the awning is at 5 foot level. You can't do that with an automatic awning. We installed a reverse arm kit at the beginning of last summer. That made putting the awning in and out much easier. I am short and no longer need a step stool to put the awning out. We have used the awning way more then before the kit. I like the KIS of the Zip Dee. Good luck with what ever you do.

Frank

2000 MAGNA 5766

Re: Zip Dee awning replacement

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 74431
10-4 on that. Carefree has horrible customer service. They do not give a damn.

George Harper
04 Allure 31093

Re: Zip Dee awning replacement

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 74432
I second(third)that plus their quality control stinks. I had a failed motor on the Mirage. No help from factory except to buy a new one, from a dealer, at $1200. Took the motor apart and found gerry-rigged parts inside. A friend on this site had taken his motor apart also and was able to send me the correct parts. Lots of work but saved $1200.
Lyle Wetherholt
04 Intrigue 11740
 

Zip Dee Awning replacement

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 74436
We just recently replaced the Zip Dee with a Girard automatic awning. Before we did this, we purchased the reverse arm kit from Zip Dee and at 5'5" I still had to get on a ladder and the claw part of the arm broke twice. They were very nice to replace it without charge the first time but after the second time we gave up and sprung for the Girard. So far it is great!

Janie 2002 Intrigue 11342